Soliciting donations from coworkers at Christmas may be prohibited by your company, so before taking any steps in this direction, ask your supervisor about company policy about taking up collections. There may be a particular approach your boss wants you to take to ensure colleagues don't feel pressured to contribute to a group or organization they choose not to support. If you get a green light, take a non-intrusive approach to holiday solicitation, and remember that not all of your colleagues celebrate Christmas, and may not be interested in supporting your choice of charitable organizations.

1. Suggest to your supervisor that your business as a whole support a reputable, local nonprofit charitable or community organization that has particular needs during the holiday season. Taking this approach allows you to position your solicitation as a corporate charitable contribution rather than an individual money grab.

2. Make support voluntary and anonymous. This will ensure that none of your colleagues feels pressured to contribute or becomes concerned about repercussions for not supporting your request. For example, you may be able to take up a cash collection via a break room coffee can, or distribute literature about the charity of your choice and allow colleagues to decide privately whether they want to support the organization.

3. Make a general announcement at a staff meeting. For example, if you are collecting nonperishable food items to donate to a local food pantry, your boss may be comfortable letting you make an announcement at a staff gathering or through an internal e-mail. This approach lets people know about your intentions, provides background information on the legitimacy of the requested donation, and allows coworkers to donate according to their personal prerogative.

Tip

If you are soliciting donations to buy a gift for your boss, use caution with this approach, as well. Some employees may wish to select a gift to give the boss individually, while others may not have the time, money or ability to contribute at all. Go with a low-dollar approach to make the collection easier on colleagues, or opt for a non-monetary contribution, such as asking for coworkers to bring in a dozen home-baked cookies. Even better, take a group photograph and present that to your boss in lieu of a pricey gift.

Warning

Be prepared for potential resentment by colleagues who may find themselves strapped for cash during the holiday season. Make any effort to solicit donations low-key and without pressure to avoid creating office conflict.